Readings: Baptism of the Lord

First Reading Introduction: Here Is My Beloved Servant; My Spirit Rests On Him
          The prophet announces that God’s Spirit will guide his faithful servant to bring justice and compassionate, respectful love to the world. This prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus. His mission is also ours.

First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7

Thus says the LORD:
          Here is my servant whom I uphold,
                   my chosen one with whom I am pleased,
          upon whom I have put my spirit;
                   he shall bring forth justice to the nations,
          not crying out, not shouting,
                   not making his voice heard in the street.
          a bruised reed he shall not break,
                   and a smoldering wick he shall not quench,
          until he establishes justice on the earth;
                   the coastlands will wait for his teaching.
 
          I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice,
                   I have grasped you by the hand;
          I formed you, and set you
                   as a covenant of the people,
                   a light for the nations,
          to open the eyes of the blind,
                   to bring out prisoners from confinement,
                   and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10.

R./ The Lord will bless his people with peace.

Give to the LORD, you sons of God,
          give to the LORD glory and praise,
Give to the LORD the glory due his name;
          adore the LORD in holy attire.
R./ The Lord will bless his people with peace.

The voice of the LORD is over the waters,
          the LORD, over vast waters.
The voice of the LORD is mighty;
          the voice of the LORD is majestic. 
R./ The Lord will bless his people with peace.

The God of glory thunders,
          and in his temple all say, “Glory!”
The LORD is enthroned above the flood;
          the LORD is enthroned as king forever.
R./ The Lord will bless his people with peace.

Second Reading Introduction: The Good News Is For All
          Peter tells us that the Spirit of God rested on the Lord Jesus, and that his Good News is destined for all.

Second Reading: Acts of the Apostles  10:34-38

Peter proceeded to speak to those gathered
          in the house of Cornelius, saying: 
          “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality.
Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly
          is acceptable to him.
You know the word that he sent to the Israelites 
          as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, 
          what has happened all over Judea, 
          beginning in Galilee after the baptism
          that John preached, 
          how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
          with the Holy Spirit and power.
He went about doing good 
          and healing all those oppressed by the devil, 
          for God was with him.”

Gospel Introduction: This Is My Beloved Son
        Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan is the occasion to make him known as the promised Savior: the Father calls him his beloved Son; the Holy Spirit will guide him.

Gospel Reading: Matthew  3:13-17

Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan
          to be baptized by him.
John tried to prevent him, saying, 
          “I need to be baptized by you,
          and yet you are coming to me?”
Jesus said to him in reply,
          “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us
          to fulfill all righteousness.”
Then he allowed him.
After Jesus was baptized,
          he came up from the water and behold,
          the heavens were opened for him, 
          and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove
          and coming upon him.
And a voice came from the heavens, saying, 
          “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”